“When the political discourse resorts to intolerance and hate, we all lose in what makes America great and the progress made in society,” stated Pantoja.

Without naming names, Pablo Pantoja attributed his switch in part to a controversial Heritage Fund study on the cost of immigration, and the fact that it was penned by researcher Jason Richwine, whose 2009 doctoral dissertation alleged that Hispanic immigrants and their children had “lower IQs.” While immigration reform was a contributing factor to his decision, and he stated that his experience was “intertwined with those who are referred to as illegal,” immigration policy was the only main factor.

Pantoja made it very clear he did not believe that these were isolated incidents, but that the GOP had a culture of intolerance that he could no longer support stating: “The complete disregard of those who are in disadvantage is also palpable. We are not looking at an isolated incident of rhetoric or research. Others subscribe to motivating people to action by stating, “In California, a majority of all Hispanic births are illegitimate. That’s a lot of Democratic voters coming.” The discourse that moves the Republican Party is filled with this anti-immigrant movement and overall radicalization that is far removed from reality.” Pantoja also stated that he did not believe this to be solely immigration related, and part of a broader GOP cultural issue.

The Republican Party already faced significant challenges with minority outreach, and catastrophic bungles like this are not helping. Unless the RNC takes definitive action this incident could cripple their efforts at minority outreach in the state of Florida, and nationwide — and that could cost them the White House in 2016. According to their own operatives, solving the problem will involve turning inward and facing problems within the RNC culture, and not just outreach to potential minority voters.